Not too many people know I was once into ministry work. Meaning, I worked for our church full time and got paid for it. My boss was a pastor; my colleagues were all church workers and leaders both from local and international offices. Our headquarters is Victory Leadership Institute (now known as Every Nation Leadership Institute). It is the central office of our church called Victory Christian Fellowship.

I did not apply for a position there. But here’s what happened.

The year was 2003. One morning while I was driving, I heard a voice telling me “full time ministry work.” Seriously, I heard a voice. It wasn’t anything thunderous or earthshaking. In fact, it was almost like a whisper, in a calm and gentle tone. I figured well, maybe it was just one of those thoughts from my cluttered mind. But I started to pray, and I said to God “well, if this is from you, do something about it. You pave the way because I cannot imagine myself doing church work.”

Two weeks after hearing “the voice”, I got a call from Victory Leadership Institute. A job was waiting for me. How could this be? I did not apply for work there!

That voice…how can I still doubt that it was God? It was too much of a coincidence.

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My boss was (and still is) the National Director for School of Arts and Media. I did a lot of administrative work plus we had a ballet school which I had to oversee as well. Our ministry was for church members who are into arts and media –visual artists, media people, photographers, actors and actresses, singers, dancers, production people and a lot more. Every time we had an event I had to coordinate with these volunteers. We used to be called tinC which means ‘talents in Christ’.

I had a wonderful time doing my job. It was such a joy working with volunteers, plus the fact I was learning a lot of new things. School of Arts and Media opened a whole new world for me. It was a humbling experience to work with big names who willingly share their talent and time generously yet, for free. But beyond their status and popularity, it’s their heart to reach out to other talents who are searching and looking for meaning in life. They patiently find time to share the gospel using their own resources. They boldly introduce God to them without shame.

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Doing full time ministry work is not a career. You don’t make money here. Whenever I tell people about this experience right away they say “really?!” in varying tones. It’s alright. How they react to it doesn’t affect me.

It is the toughest job in my entire life upto this day. Why? Because here your goal is not to please the standards of the world, but the standards of a ‘diving being.’ Perhaps a lot of people won’t get what I mean. The bible says, “to whom much is given, much is required.”

It was a privilege to work for our church. It is a calling, and not the usual job you can apply for. I feel honored. It doesn’t mean I am holier than thou. Why was I handpicked? It’s simply divine intervention.

Sam Milby, an accomplished student leader here in the Philippines, was chosen by the Department of Education to become the “youth spokesperson” at the DepEd’s annual National Leadership Training for Student Government Officers at Teachers Camp tomorrow in Baguio City.

Sam Milby, a product of the Philippine education system, who was also a recognized student leader throughout his studies here in the Philippines, is truly a good choice to be a spokesperson for the emerging Filipino leader.

What the…???

Are you telling he’s not even a product of the Philippine education system?  What?  He can’t even speak conversational Filipino?  He’s an actor?  A model?  He’s from the US?  Whoa!  Wait a minute…

According to Sarah Katrina Maramag, deputy secretary general of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, “What we need are stars in quality education, not publicity stunts.”

Furthermore, Antonio Tinio, head of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers added, in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, added, “Why has DepEd chosen a foreigner who barely speaks Filipino to be its spokesperson?  On the other hand, he’s a good choice if they want to highlight how deeply entrenched the colonial orientation is in our educational system.”

Have we gone mad?  Or am I just envious?  Maybe a combination of both.  Maybe I’m wishing I was the spokesperson.  Or maybe, just maybe, we are so interested more in the glamor, glitter, and gold that we forget how to make things right.  We want flashy and pang-masa, or “for the masses.”  I’m hoping Sam Milby becomes a good spokesperson for the Filipino youth and leadership.  I don’t know much about his history here in the Philippines as a youth leader, so I should not jump the gun.  Maybe he does have a rich background in the Philippine education system.  Maybe his looks and talent alone will inspire the student leaders of the Philippines at this conference.

Or maybe, just maybe, this is another “dumbing down” of the Philippines.  We are telling our own people that we are so stupid, we won’t know the difference.  Just put a pretty face in front of them, and it will inspire them with awe.  Why do we keep on dumbing down our own people?

We deserve better.  We deserve more.